Local antibiotic delivery via intra-articular catheter infusion for the treatment of periprosthetic joint infection: a systematic review.

INTRODUCTION: There is an increasing interest in the use of intra-articular (IA) antibiotic infusion as a stand-alone or adjuvant therapy to standard revision surgery for periprosthetic joint infection (PJI). The objective of this systematic review is to evaluate the evidence with respect to this up-and-coming treatment modality. METHODS: A systematic review of studies published until April 2023 was conducted using PubMed, Embase, MEDLINE and Cochrane databases. Quality assessment was performed with the National Institute of Health quality assessment tool. Inclusion criteria were adult patients (≥ 18 years) with a mean follow-up of ≥ 11 months and a score ≥ 6 on the National Institute of Health quality assessment tool. Primary outcome was eradication of infection. RESULTS: 15 articles, encompassing 631 PJIs in 626 patients, were included in the final analysis, all level IV case series. The majority was treated with single-stage revision with adjuvant IA antibiotic infusion (79.1%). The remaining PJIs were treated with stand-alone IA antibiotic infusion (12.2%), DAIR (debridement, antibiotics and implant retention) with adjuvant IA antibiotic infusion (5.7%) or two-stage revision with adjuvant IA antibiotic infusion (3.0%). Mean duration of IA antibiotic infusion was 19 days (range 3-50). An overall failure rate of approximately 11% was found. In total 117 complications occurred, 71 were non-catheter-related and 46 were catheter-related. The most common catheter-related complications were premature loss of the catheter (18/46) and elevated blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine levels (12/46). CONCLUSIONS: Due to the lack of comparative studies the (added) benefit of IA antibiotic infusion in the treatment of PJI remains uncertain. Based on the current evidence, we would advise against using it as a stand-alone treatment. A prospective randomized controlled trial using a well-described infusion protocol is needed to see if the potential benefits justify the increased costs and potential complications of this treatment modality.

Hidden blood loss in direct anterior total hip arthroplasty: a prospective, double blind, randomized controlled trial on topical versus intravenous tranexamic acid.

BACKGROUND: Despite a plethora of literature reporting on the use of tranexamic acid (TXA) in total hip arthroplasty (THA), little is available on its effect on post-operative hidden blood loss and even less on its use in the direct anterior approach (DAA), which is gaining popularity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was designed as a prospective, double blind, single centre, randomized controlled trial. Sixty patients were allocated to intravenous administration of 1.5 g of TXA just before wound closure while 60 patients were allocated to topical application of 3.0 g of TXA via a subfascial drain at the end of the procedure. Post-operative blood loss was (1) calculated via a well-established formula based on pre- and post-operative Hb levels, patients characteristics and intra-operative blood loss and (2) measured via the amount that collected in the subfascial drain over time. RESULTS: No statistical significant difference in post-operative blood loss was found, neither when the formula was used (0.55 L [topical] vs 0.67 L [IV]; p = .140) nor when looking at the drain output (0.25 L [topical] vs 0.29 L [IV]; p = .108). No significant difference in secondary outcome measures, such as transfusion of units of packed red blood cells, length of hospital stay or the occurrence of venous thromboembolisms, could be found either. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides detailed insights into the intra- and post-operative blood loss in DAA THA and shows that topical and IV TXA have similar effects on hidden blood loss. Clinical Trial Number: NCT01940692. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE I: Level I-Randomized Controlled Trial.

The Modified Hedgehog Technique to Repair Pure Chondral Shear-off Lesions in the Pediatric Knee.

OBJECTIVE: The paediatric knee is prone to pure chondral shear-off lesions due to the developing osteochondral unit. Refixation of the chondral fragment is commonly done using metalwork or absorbable biomaterials. Both fixation methods come with biomaterial-related drawbacks. Earlier work on chondral allografts for cartilage repair in adults has shown successful osteochondral integration when the chondral allograft is treated with multiple incisions and then glued to the subchondral bone using fibrin glue. This is commonly referred to as the "hedgehog technique." This study investigates the feasibility of a modification of the hedgehog technique in autologous cartilage to repair shear-off lesions in children. DESIGN: Three consecutive patients (aged 11, 12, and 14 years) with shear-off chondral fragments of 2, 5, and 8 cm2 were treated using this modified hedgehog technique. The calcified side of the chondral fragments were multiply incised and trimmed obliquely for an interlocking fit in the defect site. Fibrin glue and, if indicated sutures, were applied to fix the fragment to the defect. In 1 patient, an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) repair was also performed. Patients were evaluated clinically and by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) up to 12 months postoperatively. RESULTS: Twelve months after surgery, all patients reported no pain and showed complete return to sport and full range of motion. MRI showed no signs of fragment loosening. CONCLUSIONS: The modified hedgehog technique is a feasible treatment option to repair pure chondral shear-off lesions in the paediatric knee. This was the first time this technique was used in autografting.

Primary fusobacterium osteomyelitis and pyomyositis of the thigh in an immunocompetent young adult.

An unusual case of an immunocompetent young adult with osteomyelitis and pyomyositis of his right thigh is presented. Despite the absence of typical clinical signs, a high index of suspicion and 16S RNA PCR led to an early diagnosis of Fusobacterium infection and subsequent successful multidisciplinary treatment.

Annual trauma load of the world's largest indoor skiing center.

PURPOSE: There is limited data on the trauma load caused by indoor skiing centers. Therefore, all patients treated at the accident and emergency department of our level I trauma center who sustained injuries at the world's largest indoor skiing center were analyzed during a 3-year period. METHODS: Business intelligence was used to identify all patients who sustained injury at SnowWorld, Landgraaf, The Netherlands, and were seen at the accident and emergency department of the Zuyderland Medical Center from January 1, 2012 till December 31, 2014. Data were collected on patient characteristics, trauma mechanism, transportation, admission, diagnostics, injury and its severity, and treatment. RESULTS: Of the 732 patients seen, 305 had a fracture and 80 a dislocation. Most patients were male snowboarders and most injuries were sustained during winter. More than 2000 X-rays and 100 CT scans were required. Seventy-two patients were admitted and immediate surgery was performed in 21 patients. Ten patients had Injury Severity Scores of 10 or higher. Snowboarders differed significantly from skiers on several parameters, e.g., 1 in 4 snowboarders seen had sustained a distal radius fracture compared to 1 in 100 skiers. CONCLUSION: Acquiring more insight into the characteristics of this specific patient population could benefit clinical care and help clinicians identify and target preventive strategies. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.

Gallstone ileus of the colon: leave no stone unturned.

A case of gallstone ileus of the colon with illustrative pictures is presented, making the physicians more aware of this rare entity. Furthermore, the use of imaging modalities for diagnosis and decision making in management strategy is discussed.

Sigmoid carcinoma in an inguinal hernia: a blessing in disguise?

Colorectal cancer is a rising problem, as the incidence increases with age. In most cases the goal of treatment is oncological resection followed by adjuvant chemotherapy in order to optimize the survival. In this case report we present a 93-year-old patient with a sigmoid carcinoma inside an irreducible inguinal hernia, which was diagnosed prior to surgery. We chose to perform a sigmoid resection through an oblique inguinal incision as a safer alternative to laparotomy.

Psychosocial adjustment in a Dutch sample of children with cerebral palsy.

BACKGROUND: Over the last couple of years, there has been increasing interest for QoL in children with CP. Psychosocial adjustment in these children remains underrepresented in current literature. AIMS: To describe psychosocial adjustment in children with CP by means of the Psychosocial Adjustment and Role Skills Scale III (PARS-III), to describe the psychometric properties of this questionnaire, to identify a cut-off score for psychosocial maladjustment and to investigate the relationship between patient characteristics (i.e. predictive factors) and psychosocial adjustment. METHODS: The parents of 93 children with CP (59 boys, 34 girls; mean age 12.3 years, SD 3.8; 4-18; GMFCS 1: 28, GMFCS 2: 5, GMFCS 3: 19, GMFCS 4: 18, GMFCS 5: 23) completed the PARS-III and the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) concerning the psychosocial and behavioral functioning of their child. RESULTS: Cronbach's alpha-coefficient for the PARS-III was 0.89 indicating good internal consistency. High correlation with the CBCL was found. Confirmatory factor analysis confirmed the 6 domain structure of the PARS-III. Overall, children with CP achieved lower psychosocial adjustment scores compared to healthy children. A cut-off score (1 SD below the mean) of 78 was found. When predicting psychosocial maladjustment in children with CP, less gross motor function, hand function, communication skills and bilateral involvement of CP are the most important factors, but these can only explain 36% of variation in psychosocial adjustment. CONCLUSION: Using the by-proxy version of the PARS-III it was found that children with CP are reported to achieve lower psychosocial adjustment scores than healthy children.

Levetiracetam therapy for treatment of choreoathetosis in dyskinetic cerebral palsy.

Dyskinetic cerebral palsy (CP) is a movement disorder that is difficult to treat and which causes major disability. We report on two female patients (aged 5y and 8y) who experienced severe perinatal asphyxia and developed dyskinetic CP, clinically characterized by choreoathetosis. Neuropsychological testing of these children showed a low average developmental quotient and no attentional deficit. Monotherapy with levetiracetam was initiated to improve balance control and fine motor skills. Treatment was evaluated by use of video and the Visual Analog Scale. In both children an impressive improvement of balance control and fine motor skills was observed. No side effect occurred. Furthermore, both patients showed more interest and pleasure during activities according to their parents. In a recent multidisciplinary evaluation of the initiated therapy, the parents, the therapist, and the rehabilitation doctor all confirmed that the effect initially observed was still present at 14 and 26 months later. To our knowledge, this report on two patients with dyskinetic CP is the first suggesting that levetiracetam may offer an alternative to the standard therapy of involuntary, uncontrolled movements in this group of patients.